One tip I've seen is to be diligent about setting boundaries. Attorneys often feel pressure to be constantly available for their clients, but that is an unsustainable way to live. My personal plan is to have a set time in the evenings where I will no longer be checking work emails or texts. While this may not be doable all of the time (and depending on your job, maybe none of the time), putting this boundary in place whenever possible will hopefully allow me to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
In avoiding burnout, self-care is non-negotiable. You absolutely must carve out time for hobbies, exercise, or whatever it is you personally enjoy doing, or you will inevitably become sick of your work. For me, this means attempting to maximize my weekends with a mix of fun and relaxation, and maintaining my exercise routine. I have personally found that exercise is one of the most important aspects for my personal burnout prevention.
Don't get me wrong; there's nothing wrong with having a strong work ethic or being a "workaholic." Just make some time for yourself too.
Hey Spencer,
ReplyDeletegreat insight on stress and avoiding burnout. Definitely something that we all need to be mindful of during our time in school, while taking the bar as well as in practice.
This is very important. My daughter is in her first year of psychology practice and also the mother of a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old. She talks about the importance of "me time" or "self-care." We try to step in as much as possible to help with the kids so she can go to the Y to work out or have a date night with her husband.
ReplyDeleteTime off is definitely good for us and it is something that I have recently started to implement more into my life as the law school years have gone on. Just a little break goes a long way and I appreciate you highlighting that for all to see.
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